SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Flora Pavilion Nursing Home Center has been fined $5,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to prevent a resident from leaving the facility unsupervised. The 110-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 701 Shadwell Ave. in Flora.

As part of an annual inspection and incident report investigation, Department surveyors learned a resident left the facility unnoticed and was found in a drainage ditch nearly a mile from the facility.

The resident had been admitted to the facility earlier that day, but was not assessed for risk of leaving the facility unsupervised. The Flora Pavilion social service director said hospital staff indicated the resident had not walked since surgery a few days earlier, but the resident's guardian said she warned staff the resident may try to leave.

Upon returning to the facility, the resident was fitted with an electronic monitoring device and placed on 15-minute visual checks.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to assess each resident for his or her pattern of movement to ensure that direct care staff are aware of the level of care and supervision required by each resident. The facility also was instructed to equip all exterior door alarm systems with an audible alarm.

Flora Pavilion Nursing Home Center has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.